Background

Length of Session. The Legislature
currently can convene its regular sessions throughout the year, with some
restrictions on the types of bills it can pass at certain times. In most years,
the Legislature meets regularly from January through August or September. The
Legislature is also authorized to hold hearings when it is out of session.

Legislative Expenses. Currently, overall
legislative expenses are restricted by the State Constitution and grow annually
by a combination of inflation and population adjustments. Under these existing
provisions, allowable legislative expenditures can total about $215 million
in 2004‑05.

Major Provisions

This measure amends the State Constitution to limit when
the Legislature could hold sessions. Specifically, the Legislature would be
limited to holding regular sessions between January and June of each year. The
Legislature would be prohibited from holding sessions for more than 90 days
during each two-year session. These limits would not apply to special sessions,
which are called by the Governor. In addition, the Legislature could convene for
15 days following adjournment each year in order to reconsider bills vetoed by
the Governor.

The measure would also restrict travel and per diem
payments only to those days when the Legislature is in session (with a 15-day
limit on special sessions). In addition, legislative hearings could only be held
on days the Legislature is in session.

Fiscal Effect

By limiting the times of legislative sessions, the
measure could affect legislative expenses. For example, the measure would
significantly reduce the number of days that legislators would be eligible to
receive per diem payments. The exact savings would depend on how many days the
Legislature was in special session or considering vetoes after adjournment, but
the total savings for each two-year session could be in the millions of dollars.
Likewise, the shortened calendar for legislative sessions would likely reduce
the travel expenses of legislators traveling to and from Sacramento. Under
existing constitutional provisions, any such savings would be available for
other legislative expenditures. For instance, to the extent legislators spent
additional time in their districts, district office expenses could increase for
additional constituent services.

The net effect of these types of factors is unknown and
would depend on the future actions of the Legislature and the Governor. The
measure, however, could result in reduced legislative expenses in the millions
of dollars for each two-year session.

Summary. This measure would have the
following major fiscal impact:

Unknown impact on legislative expenses, with potential
savings of millions of dollars for each two-year session. Actual fiscal
impact would depend on future actions of the Legislature and the Governor.